East Cocalico says its police service most cost-effective

East Cocalico Township supervisors continue to insist that they can provide less expensive police coverage for West Cocalico Township and Adamstown Borough.

“The five-year police cost numbers we gave West Cocalico and Adamstown are less than the costs proposed by Ephrata Borough,” said Supervisor Noelle Fortna, at the supervisors’ Sept. 17 meeting.

“Ephrata’s offer adds first year start-up costs for a new substation and additional manpower. Our offer is less in the first year and we match numbers in years two through five.”

“Was a formal, written offer made?” asked West Cocalico resident April Westhafer.

Fortna responded.

“We only learned about Ephrata’s proposed costs after business hours on Sept. 3, and we had the Labor Day holiday Sept. 7,” she said. “The earliest we could advertise and call a special meeting was Tuesday, Sept. 8. We worked through the Labor Day weekend. The e-mail was necessary so that Adamstown would have numbers prior to their Tuesday night, Sept. 8, meeting.”

Alan Fry, vice president of the East Cocalico supervisors, explained that “with West and Adamstown pulling out, we’ll lose close to a million dollars… We’ll figure out how to save the $68,000 that it costs us to make a counter proposal. The $68,000 is a lot less than $1 million.

“Our pension took a hit in 2008 and is recovering. We’re 83 percent funded right now. We do want to stress that if neither municipality chooses to come on board, we will be okay.”

Fortna contends that West Cocalico is contracting for services with a higher price tag.

Resident Larry Paul questioned the counter proposal.

“Why do you feel you have to go back to them (West Cocalico and Adamstown) and keep funding them?” he asked. “I’ve seen …that it’s not to be personal and it is…I think we should be done.”

Resident Jeff Mitchell asked what the proposed police board regionalization process, with attorney fees, subsidized pension, and other items has cost East Cocalico so far.

“Call a tow truck and get me and the East Cocalico taxpayers out from under the bus,” he added.

“I will never give up fighting for our police force,” Fortna said. “I think Adamstown and West Cocalico are making decisions that will affect future boards. I don’t want to lay off any of our excellent police.”

In other business:

* Zoning Officer Tony Luongo, reported that the township is “still waiting to hear from Lancaster County Court on the appeal by the Fit Farm on Church Street.”

* Supervisors approved the police pension plan minimum municipal obligation of $526,538,82 for uniform officers and $35,230 for non-uniform personnel. In December, after the state determines its share, a final number is received.